Mobile video system

ABSTRACT

A mobile video system includes a first video source, a second video source, a first video monitor, a second video monitor, an audio signal receiver, and a wireless transmitter. One of the first video source and the second video source generates a first audiovisual signal. One of the first video monitor and the second video monitor receives a video portion of at least one of the first audiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal. The wireless transmitter transmits an audio portion of one of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal to the audio signal receiver. A video portion of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal is displayed on the first video monitor, on the second video monitor, or on both the first video monitor and the second video monitor.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/361,897, filed Feb. 7, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/435,810, filed Dec. 20, 2002, andwhich also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/421,936, filed Oct. 28, 2002, the entire contents of all ofwhich are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This application relates to a mobile video system having more than oneaudiovisual source and more than one video monitor. More specifically, amobile video system is provided that includes a wireless transmitterthat transmits an audio portion of an audiovisual signal from anaudiovisual source to a receiver, which may be a car radio.

2. Description of the Related Art

Audiovisual systems for vehicles have been commonplace aboard commercialaircraft and motor coaches for quite some time. Such systems have alsobeen incorporated into automobiles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,455to Allan et al. discloses a digital video disc vehicle televisionmounted to the ceiling of an automobile. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No.5,775,762 to Vitito discloses an overhead console having a flip-downmonitor, where the console is mounted to the ceiling of an automobile.

The systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,339,455 and 5,775,762, providea TV monitor that is mounted to the ceiling of the automobile. Severalpassengers can watch the same program on the monitor simultaneously.While suitable for simultaneous viewing, passengers often have varyingtaste in entertainment and might, therefore, prefer to watch differentprograms. These systems, unfortunately, do not allow differentpassengers to select programming that suits them. This is a significantdraw-back for one of the primary applications of such systems: occupyingchildren during long road-trips. Children of different ages requiredifferent sorts of programming to maintain their interests. Accordingly,a child will not be distracted by programming that is not tailored tohim or her.

Some of the systems designed for aircraft provide a unit associated witheach seat (i.e., a viewer unit) that allow each passenger to selectamong a range of programs. However, hardwire connections are requiredbetween a device that transmits the programs (i.e., a program device)and the viewer unit. Thus, these systems require extensive wiring tointerconnect the program device and the viewer unit. Moreover, becausethe systems require extensive wiring, as a practical matter, they canonly be installed during manufacturing and cannot easily be after-marketinstalled. Also, these systems generally only enable private listeningof programs via headphones. While aircraft sometimes have overheadloudspeakers, these loudspeakers are generally not used for programs,but rather are reserved for announcements, e.g., safety instruction,arrival information, and customs procedures. Thus these systems relaythe audio signal of the programs to passengers in only one way, throughheadphones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a mobile audiovisual system for a car is provided.The mobile audiovisual system includes a first video source, a secondvideo source, a first video monitor, and a second video monitor. Themobile audiovisual system also includes a radio and a first wirelesstransmitter. The first video source generates a first audiovisualsignal. The second video source that generates a second audiovisualsignal. The first video monitor is adapted to be mounted to a firstheadrest of the car. The first video monitor is also adapted to receivea video portion of at least one of the first audiovisual signal and thesecond audiovisual signal. The second video monitor is adapted to bemounted to a second headrest of the car and to receive a video portionof at least one of the first audiovisual signal and the secondaudiovisual signal. The radio includes a loudspeaker and is adapted tobe installed in the car. The first wireless transmitter transmits to theradio an audio portion of one of the first audiovisual signal or thesecond audiovisual signal. A video portion of either of the firstaudiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal can be displayed onthe first video monitor, on the second video monitor, or on both thefirst video monitor and the second video monitor.

In another embodiment, a mobile video system is provided that includes acar, a first video source, a second video source, a first video monitor,a second video monitor, a radio, and a first wireless transmitter. Thecar includes a passenger compartment and a first seat having a firstheadrest. The first seat is positioned in the passenger compartment. Thefirst video source generates a first audiovisual signal. The secondvideo source generates a second audiovisual signal. The first videomonitor is mounted to the headrest of the first seat. The first videomonitor receives a video portion of at least one of the firstaudiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal. The second videomonitor is mounted in the passenger compartment. The second videomonitor receives a video portion of at least one of the firstaudiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal. The radio includesa loudspeaker and is installed in the vehicle. The first wirelesstransmitter transmits an audio portion of one of the first audiovisualsignal or the second audiovisual signal to the radio. A video portion ofeither of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signalcan be displayed on the first video monitor, on the second videomonitor, or on both the first video monitor and the second videomonitor.

In another embodiment, a car-based mobile video system includes a car, afirst video source, a second video source, a first video monitor, asecond video monitor, a radio, and a first wireless transmitter. The carhas a passenger compartment within which a first seat having a firstheadrest and a second seat having a second headrest are positioned. Thefirst video source generates a first audiovisual signal. The secondvideo source generates a second audiovisual signal. The first videomonitor is mounted to the first headrest of the first seat. The firstvideo monitor receives a video portion of at least one of the firstaudiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal. The second videomonitor is mounted to the second headrest of the second seat. The secondvideo monitor is configured to receive a video portion of at least oneof the first audiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal. Theradio includes a loudspeaker that is installed in the vehicle. The firstwireless transmitter is configured to transmit an audio portion of oneof the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal to theradio. A video portion of either of the first audiovisual signal or thesecond audiovisual signal can be displayed on the first video monitor,on the second video monitor, or on both the first video monitor and thesecond video monitor.

In another embodiment, a mobile video system includes a car, a firstvideo source, a second video source, a first video monitor, a secondvideo monitor, an audio signal receiver, and a first wirelesstransmitter. The car has a passenger compartment within which a firstseat having a first headrest and a second seat having a second headrestare positioned. The first video source generates a first audiovisualsignal. The second video source generates a second audiovisual signal.The first video monitor is mounted to the first headrest of the firstseat. The first video monitor receives a video portion of at least oneof the first audiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal. Thesecond video monitor is mounted to the second headrest of the secondseat. The second video monitor is configured to receive a video portionof at least one of the first audiovisual signal and the secondaudiovisual signal. The first wireless transmitter is configured totransmit an audio portion of one of the first audiovisual signal or thesecond audiovisual signal to the audio signal receiver. A video portionof either of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisualsignal can be displayed on the first video monitor, on the second videomonitor, or on both the first video monitor and the second videomonitor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will be better understood with reference a preferredembodiment, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Theillustrated embodiment is merely exemplary and is not intended to definethe outer limits of the scope of the present invention. The drawings ofthe illustrated arrangement comprise six figures.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a car arranged and configured inaccordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the car of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a mobile video systemhaving a video monitor mounted in a headrest of a vehicle seat.

FIG. 4 is schematic view of the embodiment of FIG. 3, showing moredetails of the video monitor;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2, showing acar equipped with one embodiment of a dual-monitor mobile video system;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a dual monitor mobilevideo system;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a headrest-mountedmonitor, illustrating the monitor installed in a headrest of a vehicleseat;

FIG. 7A is a front elevation view of the headrest-mounted monitor ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 8A is a left side elevation view of the screen structure of theheadrest-mounted monitor of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8B is a rear elevation view of the screen structure of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9A is a front elevation view of the housing of the headrest-mountedmonitor of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9B is a left side elevation view of the housing of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9C is a detail view of the second hinge portion of the housing ofFIG. 9A;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the headrest-mounted monitor of FIG. 7,illustrating the screen structure pivoted outward from the housing;

FIG. 11A is a left side section view of the headrest-mounted monitor ofFIG. 7, illustrating the screen structure in a storage position;

FIG. 11B is a left side section view of the headrest-mounted monitor ofFIG. 7, illustrating the screen structure pivoted outward from thehousing;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the bracket of the headrest-mountedmonitor of FIG. 7;

FIG. 13A is a left side elevation view of the headrest-mounted monitorand headrest of FIG. 7, illustrating the screen structure in a storageposition; and

FIG. 13B is a left side elevation view of the headrest-mounted monitorand headrest of FIG. 7, illustrating the screen structure pivotedoutward from the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a car featuring certain features,aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described. Thecar, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, is an environmentfor which many features, aspects and advantages of the embodimentsdescribed herein have been specially adapted. As used herein “car” is abroad term and is used in its ordinary sense and refers, withoutlimitation, to any personal land transportation vehicle, e.g., apassenger automobile, a truck, a van, a mini-van, a sport-utilityvehicle, etc. Nevertheless, certain features, aspects and advantages ofthe embodiments described herein can be used with other vehicles.

The car 20 generally comprises a chassis (not shown) to which a bodyhaving a plurality of body panels 24 is attached. A passengercompartment 28 is defined by the body. A dashboard 30 preferably ispositioned within the passenger compartment 28. The dashboard 30 usuallyis coupled with the chassis of the car 20 and houses several componentsof the car 20, e.g., a car radio 31. A first front seat 32 that includesa first headrest 36 is positioned within the passenger compartment 28.Preferably a second front seat 40 that includes a second headrest 44 isalso positioned within the passenger compartment 28. One skilled in theart will appreciate that the headrests 36, 44 need not take anyparticular form. For example, in one embodiment, at least one of theheadrests 36, 44 is detachably attached to the corresponding front seat32, 40. In another embodiment, at least one of the headrests 36, 44 isintegrally formed with the corresponding front seat 32, 40. In otherwords, the headrests 36, 44 can take many forms, generally providing thefunction of supporting a head of a passenger sitting in the front seats32, 40. In some embodiments, the size of at least one of the headrests36, 44 must be sufficient to house a video monitor, as discussed in moredetail below.

FIGS. 2-4 show one embodiment of a mobile video system 48 thatpreferably is positioned in the car 20. The mobile video system 48preferably includes a video source 52, a video monitor 56 and the radio31. As discussed in more detail below, the mobile video system 48provides wireless transmission of an audio portion of an audiovisualsignal and a manually operated audio frequency selector, or manualactuator, that selects a wireless transmission frequency.

The video source 52 is also referred to herein as an “audiovisualsource.” The terms “video source” and “audiovisual source” are broadterms that are used in their ordinary sense and refer, withoutlimitation, to any device that generates an audiovisual signal thatincludes a video portion that can be processed to produce a video signal(e.g., to produce a visual image) and an audio portion that can beprocessed to produce an audio signal (e.g., sound at a level high enoughto be heard by a human ear). For example, “video source” and“audiovisual source” are broad enough to cover a digital video-discplayer, a video cassette player, a video-game console, and a computerthat can generate audiovisual signals, etc. Thus, the video source 52 isdescribed herein as generating or providing an audiovisual signal.

Video sources typically have a variety of jacks for interconnecting thesources with other components. For example, the sources may have outputjacks to convey the audio portion of an audiovisual signal and may haveoutput jacks to convey the video portion of an audiovisual signal. Videosources may also have output jacks to convey to other devices power orcontrol signals, e.g., remote control signals. Video sources also mayhave input jacks to receive from other sources power, control signals,or other audiovisual signals.

The video source 52 advantageously can be positioned in a wide varietyof locations in the car 20. In some embodiments, the video source 52 ispreferably positioned within the passenger compartment 28 so as to beaccessible while the car 20 is in motion. For example, the video source52 is shown positioned beneath the front seat 32 in the embodimentillustrated by FIG. 2. In other embodiments, the video source 52 ispositioned in the dashboard 30. It may be advantageous to position thevideo source 52 in a more secure location, such as in a storagecompartment that is not accessible from the passenger compartment 28(e.g., the trunk). Alternatively, in some cars, there may be sufficientoverhead space in the passenger compartment 28 for the source 52 to bemounted overhead. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the source52 could be housed in an overhead console (not shown). In someembodiments, more than one video source is provided. Such embodimentsare discussed in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6.

The mobile video system 48 preferably also includes a set of input jacks60. As discussed more fully below, a first audiovisual signal line 64having an audio branch 64A and a video branch 64B interconnects theinput jacks 60 and the video monitor 56. In one embodiment, the firstvideo source 52 connects to the set of input jacks 60 through a seriesof signal lines. For example, a remote sensor signal line 68 that isconnected to the first video source 52 is received by a first remotesensor jack 72. Preferably, a video signal line 76 interconnects thevideo source 52 and a primary video signal jack 80. In the illustratedembodiment, a secondary video signal jack 88 is provided which canreceive a signal line connected to a second video source. A left-sideaudio signal line 92 has a first branch 92A and a second branch 92B. Thefirst branch 92A of the left-side audio signal line 92 interconnects thevideo source 52 and a left-side audio signal jack 96. A right-side audiosignal line 100 has a first branch 100A and a second branch 100B. Thefirst branch 100A of the right-side audio signal line 100 interconnectsthe first video source 52 and a right-side audio signal jack 104.

As discussed above, the mobile video system 48 provides wirelesstransmission of audio signals. Preferably the mobile video system 48includes at least one wireless transmitter. In one embodiment a primarywireless transmitter 108 is provided that is coupled with the videomonitor 56 via a signal line 112. As is discussed more fully below, thesignal line 112 may be capable of conveying at least one input commandfrom a passenger that may include directing the transmitter 108 toswitch from one frequency to another frequency. In the illustratedembodiment, the primary wireless transmitter 108 and the video source 52also are connected via the audio signal lines 92, 100. In particular,the second branch 92B of the left-side audio signal line 92interconnects the video source 52 and the primary wireless transmitter108 and the second branch 100B of the right-side audio signal line 100interconnects the video source 52 and the primary wireless transmitter108. Other embodiments with a single connection between the primarywireless transmitter 108 and the video source 52 can also be provided.

Wireless transmission in the mobile video system 48 is indicated by thearrow 120. Wireless transmission of the audio signals advantageouslyeliminates the need for extensive installation of wiring in the car 20to physically connect the source 52 and the radio 31. This isparticularly advantageous for after-market installation of the mobilevideo system 48. The primary wireless transmitter 108 preferably canemploy any radio frequency transmission method that is compatible withthe receiver 116, e.g., amplitude modulation transmission, short-wavetransmission, etc. In one embodiment, the primary wireless transmitter108 comprises a frequency modulation (FM) transmitter that transmitsaudio signals in a wireless manner to at least one audio signal receiver116. FM transmission is particularly advantageous because it produceshigher quality sound reproduction than other transmission techniques,e.g., amplitude modulation transmission.

The audio signal receiver 116 is a factory or a permanently installedradio in one embodiment, e.g. the car radio 31, and is a portable radiowithin the vehicle in another embodiment. In one embodiment, the audiosignal receiver 116 provides audio signals to at least one loudspeaker,or speaker 124 to be audibly reproduced for one or more passengers inthe car 20. Thus, a group of listeners can enjoy the audio signalsgenerated by the audiovisual source 52. In another embodiment, the atleast one audio signal receiver 116 comprises two sets of headphonesthat include speakers for private listening by a single passenger. Asdiscussed more fully below, at least one set of headphones can also beprovided to receive audio signals from a secondary audio signaltransmitter.

One embodiment of the video monitor 56 is shown in more detail in FIG.4. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 is particularly suited formounting in a headrest of a vehicle seat. In other embodiments, thevideo monitor 56 can be configured to be suspended from the ceiling ofthe vehicle. Details of the construction of such a system are set forthin U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,242, the entire contents of which is herebyexpressly incorporated herein and made a part of this specification. Thevideo monitor 56 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a screen structure 128that is pivotally attached to a housing 132. Both the housing 132 and anouter casing of the screen structure 128 are preferably constructed of ahigh-strength plastic, so that the video monitor 56 is lightweight anddurable. The housing 132 is configured to be embedded in a headrest,e.g., the independently moveable headrest 36. In particular, the housing132 is embedded in a rear-facing surface 136 of the headrest 36 (SeeFIG. 3). The housing 132 preferably defines a cavity that receives thescreen structure 128. The cavity is substantially the same size andshape as the screen structure 128, such that when the screen structure128 is stored, a front face 140 of the screen structure 128 issubstantially flush with an outer surface 144 of the housing 132, whichis in turn substantially flush with the rear-facing surface 136 of theheadrest 36. The video monitor 56 thus preferably protrudes onlyminimally or not at all from the headrest 36.

The video monitor 56 may be adapted to be adjustably mounted to theheadrest 36. For example, in one embodiment, an angular orientation ofthe video monitor 56 relative to the headrest 36 is adjustable withoutmoving the headrest 36. More details various embodiments of a videomonitor 56 that is configured to be mounted to a headrest are set forthherein in connection with FIGS. 7-13B, and may be found in U.S.application Ser. No. 10/219,987, filed Aug. 13, 2002, which is herebyexpressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and made apart of this specification.

In one embodiment, the video monitor 56 also includes a secondarywireless transmitter 148. Preferably, the secondary wireless transmitter148 transmits an audio portion of an audiovisual signal to at least onesecondary receiver 150. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the atleast one secondary receiver 150 comprises two sets of headphones. Thus,in this embodiment, the at least one secondary receiver 150 comprisestwo personal speaker systems. The secondary wireless transmitter 148advantageously transmits the audio portion of an audiovisual signal.Arrows 149 indicate that the transmission from the transmitter 148 tothe at least one secondary receiver 150 is wireless. The transmitter 148can operate on any desirable frequency range. In one embodiment, thesecondary wireless transmitter 148 is an FM transmitter. FM transmittersadvantageously do not require a line-of-sight connection between thesecondary wireless transmitter 148 and the secondary receiver 150. Inanother embodiment, the secondary wireless transmitter 148 comprises aninfrared transmitter. Infrared audio signal transmitters advantageouslydo not transmit in a band that can be received by the radio 31 andtherefore they will not interfere with reception by the radio 31. Onetype of infrared transmitter that can be used comprises four lightemitting diodes (LEDs). In one embodiment the infrared transmitter 148operates at about 2.3 MHz or at about 2.8 MHz. In another embodiment theinfrared audio signal transmitter 148 operates at about 3.2 MHz or atabout 3.8 MHz. In one embodiment, the transmitter 148 transmits audiosignals in stereo at 2.3 MHz, at 2.8 MHz, or at both 2.3 MHz and 2.8MHz. One skilled in the art will recognize that other frequencies couldalso be used for such transmissions. By including the secondary wirelesstransmitter 148 and the receiver 150, one or more passengers can enjoy amovie or a video game while other passengers listen to the same movie orvideo game on the radio 31. This enables the passenger listening on theheadphones to not be disturbed if other passengers listening on theradio 31 choose to listen to a broadcast radio station.

Because many environments in which the mobile video system 48 will beused receive broadcasts at many radio frequencies, interference betweenthese prevailing radio signals and those generated by the primarywireless transmitter 108 sometimes will occur. This interference canrender the audio signal unlistenable. Thus, the mobile video system 48advantageously includes a manually operated audio frequency selector, ormanual actuator 156. The manual actuator 156 selects a transmissionfrequency upon which the primary wireless transmitter 108 transmits theaudio portion of an audiovisual signal. In one embodiment, the manualactuator 156 comprises a push-button that is wired to the primarywireless transmitter 108 and that is operable by a passenger within thecar 20. In one embodiment, the manual actuator 156 also provides anon/off signal to the video monitor 56.

Preferably, the manual actuator 156 is at least partially positionedwithin the housing 132 for the video monitor 56. In one embodiment, themanual actuator 156 is provided in a cluster of manual controls 158located on the housing 132. By positioning the manual actuator 156within the housing 132 for the video monitor 56, the number ofcomponents that need to be separately installed is reduced, which alsoreduces installation cost and complexity. In another embodiment, themanual actuator 156 comprises a remote control device. The remotecontrol manual actuator 156 advantageously allows passengers sitting ina variety of seats throughout the vehicle to move the frequency oftransmission as needed. As will be understood by one skilled in the art,a remote control device can be a self-contained device that can be movedaround within the passenger compartment 28, or can be a control panelaffixed to a location within the passenger compartment, but remotelylocated from the video monitor 56.

Preferably the mobile video system 48 also includes an audio frequencyindicator 160 that provides a visual signal regarding the frequency oftransmission selected by the manual actuator 156. For example, as shownin FIG. 4, the audio frequency indicator 160 comprises a plurality ofLEDs that are energized to indicate the frequency of transmissionselected by the manual actuator 156. The audio frequency indicator 160informs at least one passenger which frequency is being used by theprimary wireless transmitter 108 and, therefore, which frequency to tunethe audio receiver 116 to in order to receive the audio transmission.The audio frequency indicator 160 thus enables the passenger to veryquickly tune the receiver 116 to the indicated frequency.

In one embodiment, the audio frequency indicator 160 is positionedwithin the housing 132 of the video monitor 56, e.g., as one portion ofthe manual controls 158. By positioning the audio frequency indicator160 in the housing 132, the indicator 160 is desirably visible to thepassengers who are able to view the monitor so that the audio signalreceiver 116 can be tuned to the selected frequency. Also, bypositioning the audio frequency indicator 160 in the housing 132, thenumber of components to be separately installed is reduced, as is thecost of the installation. Of course, the audio frequency indicator 160could be located elsewhere, so long it can be conveniently read by apassenger. For example, it may be advantageous in some embodiments toposition the audio frequency indicator 160 near the radio 31 so that apassenger in the front seat near the radio 31 can switch the radio 31 tothe selected frequency. In another embodiment, the audio frequencyindicator 160 is positioned on a remote control device, e.g., a remotecontrol audio frequency selector. Providing the audio frequencyindicator 160 on a remote control device advantageously reducesinstallation cost where the remote control is not connected to thepassenger compartment 28. Also, where the remote control device is notconnected to the passenger compartment 28, any passenger seated anywherein the vehicle can see the audio frequency indicator 160. In anotherembodiment, the audio frequency indicator 160 is located in a separatehousing that is located within the passenger compartment 28, e.g., nearthe radio 31.

In one embodiment, the manual actuator 156 is a power/select button thatswitches the mobile video system 48 on and off if held in for anextended time. However, once the mobile video system 48 is turned on,brief actuation of the manual actuator 156 causes the frequency oftransmission of the primary wireless transmitter 108 to be altered. Inone embodiment, the brief actuation of the manual actuator 156 causes asignal to be conveyed to the wireless transmitter 108 via the signalline 112.

The manual actuator 156 and the audio frequency indicator 160, whereused together, provide great advantages to the mobile video system 48.For example, these components enable a passenger to sense the degradingquality of audio signal reception at the receiver 116. This degradingquality can cause some or all of the audio signal to be obscured. Thus,as the signal degrades, the passenger can manually actuate the actuator156, thus causing the frequency of transmission to be altered. In oneembodiment, three preset transmission frequencies are provided. Thepassenger manually actuates the actuator 156 to move the frequency oftransmission from one of the three preset frequencies to another of thepreset frequencies. The audio frequency indicator 160 indicates whichfrequency has been thereby selected and indicates, therefore, to whichfrequency the passenger should tune the receive 116. Thus, three knownfrequencies are provided to which the receiver 116 can be tuned.

This arrangement advantageously enables the passengers to move from afrequency to another frequency preemptively. On a familiar drive (e.g.,a daily commute), a passenger may become aware of a first area where, ata first frequency band, interference causes the audio signal to becomeobscured, i.e., degrades the audio signal from listenable tounlistenable. The passenger may also know that at a second frequencyband interference is not present when the car is in the first area, andtherefore the audio signal would not become obscured. A little fartheralong the drive, the car might enter a second area known by thepassenger to be subject to interference at the second frequency band.The passenger may also know that at a third frequency band, interferenceis not present in the second area. Accordingly, the prior to enteringthe first area, the transmitter 108 may be set to transmit to thereceiver 116 at the first preset frequency band. Because the passengeris aware of the impending interference in the second area, the passengercan actuate the manual actuator 156 just prior to entering the secondarea to cause the transmission frequency band to move from the firstpreset frequency band to the second preset frequency band. Also, thereceiver 116 may have a button that automatically causes the receiver116 to receive signals at the same second preset frequency band (e.g., aradio station preset buttons). Then, just prior to entering the secondarea, the passenger can again actuate the manual actuator 156 to causethe band of frequency transmission to move from the second presetfrequency to the third preset frequency band. As discussed above, thereceiver 116 can be automatically switched to the third presetfrequency, e.g., using a radio station preset button. Thus, oneadvantage of the mobile video system 48 is that it enable passengers topreemptively switch transmission frequency of the transmitter 108 toprevent any substantial amount of audio signal loss during a familiarcar trip. If the passenger had to turn a dial or in any other hunt foran available frequency, the passenger would either have to pause theplayback of the audiovisual signal or completely miss a portion of thesignal.

Another embodiment is illustrated by FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein at least twovideo sources and two video monitors are provided. The system below issimilar to that described above, and the details described above shouldbe considered to supplement the discussion of the following embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, a car 220 includes a first seat 232 and a secondseat 236. The first seat 232 comprises a first headrest 240 and thesecond seat comprises a second headrest 244. The car 220 also includes amobile audiovisual system 248 that includes a first video source 252 anda second video source 254. The video sources 252, 254 are similar to thesource 52 discussed above. Although this embodiment shows two sources,there can of course be more than two as well.

The mobile video system 248 preferably also includes a first set ofinput jacks 262, a second set of input jacks 264, a first video monitor258, and a second video monitor 260. A first audiovisual signal line 266that has an audio branch 266A and a video branch 266B is provided tointerconnect the input jacks 262 and the first video monitor 258. Asecond audiovisual signal line 268 having an audio branch 268A and avideo branch 268B is provided to interconnect the input jacks 264 andthe second video monitor 260.

In one embodiment, the first video source 252 connects to the inputjacks 262, 264 through a series of signal lines. For example, a remotesensor signal line 272 that is connected to the first video source 252is received by a first remote sensor jack 274. Preferably, a first videosignal line 276 is connected to the first video source 252. The firstvideo signal line 276 includes a first branch 276A and a second branch276B. The first branch 276A of the first video signal line 276 isreceived by a first primary video signal jack 280. A second video signalline 284 is connected to the second video source 254. The second videosignal line 284 includes a first branch 284A and a second branch 284B.The first branch 284A is received by a first secondary video signal jack288. A first right-side audio signal line 292 that is connected to thefirst video source 252 includes a first branch 292A and a second branch292B. The first branch 292A of the first right-side audio signal line292 is received by a first right-side audio signal jack 296. A firstleft-side audio signal line 300 that is connected to the first videosource 252 includes a first branch 300A and a second branch 300B. Thefirst branch 300A is received by a first left-side audio signal jack304.

In one embodiment, the second video source 254 connects to the inputjacks 262, 264 through a series of signal lines. For example, a remotesensor signal line 308 that is connected to the second video source 254is received by a second remote sensor jack 312. Preferably, the secondbranch 284B of the second video signal line 284 is received by a secondsecondary video signal jack 316. The second branch 276B of the firstvideo signal line 276 preferably is received by a second primary videosignal jack 320. A second right-side audio signal line 324 that isconnected to the second video source 254 includes a first branch 324Aand a second branch 324B. The first branch 324A of the first right-sideaudio signal line 324 is received by a second right-side audio signaljack 328. A second left-side audio signal line 332 that is connected tothe second video source 254 includes a first branch 332A and a secondbranch 332B. The first branch 328A is received by a second left-sideaudio signal jack 336.

The mobile video system 248 also advantageously includes a plurality ofwireless transmitters. In one embodiment a first primary wirelesstransmitter 340 and a second primary wireless transmitter 344 areprovided. In one embodiment, the second branch 292B of the firstright-side audio signal line 292 is coupled with the first primarywireless transmitter 340. Preferably, the second branch 300B of thefirst left-side audio signal line 300 is coupled with the first primarywireless transmitter 340. In one embodiment, the first primary wirelesstransmitter 340 is also coupled with the first video monitor 258, e.g.,via a signal line 348. Like the signal line 112, the signal line 348 maybe capable of conveying at least one input command from a passenger thatmay include directing the transmitter to switch from one frequency toanother frequency.

The second primary wireless transmitter 344 is similarly coupled withthe second video source 254. In particular, the second branch 332B ofthe second left-side audio signal line 332 and the second branch 324B ofthe first right-side audio signal line 324 are coupled with the secondprimary wireless transmitter 344. In one embodiment, the second primarywireless transmitter 344 is also coupled with the second video monitor260, e.g., via a signal line 364. As with the signal line 348, thesignal line 364 may be capable of conveying at least one input commandfrom the user.

The primary wireless transmitters 340, 344 are configured to transmit anaudio portion of an audiovisual signal generated by the first source 252and the second source 254 respectively in the manner described above.Thus, in one embodiment, the wireless transmitters 340, 344 transmit theaudio portion of the audiovisual signals to at least one audio signalreceiver 352. Wireless transmission is indicated by the arrow 356. Asdiscussed above, in connection with the receiver 116, the receiver 352preferably is connected to at least one loudspeaker 360.

In one embodiment, the first video monitor 258 includes a firstsecondary wireless transmitter 380 and the second video monitor 260includes a second secondary wireless transmitter 384. The transmitters380, 384 may operate in a fashion similar to the wireless transmitter148, discussed above. Each of the first secondary wireless transmitter380 and the second secondary wireless transmitter 384 can desirablytransmit audio signals to one or more sets of headphones 388. Thewireless transmission to the sets of headphones 388 is indicated by thearrows 392. As discussed above in connection with the transmitter 148,the transmitters 380, 384 can be an infrared transmitters, or any othersuitable transmitter.

In addition to the advantages discussed above in connection with theaudiovisual system 48, the audiovisual system 248 provides a great dealof flexibility in passenger entertainment. For example, the audiovisualsystem 248 advantageously allows one passenger to watch a moviegenerated by one of the audiovisual sources 252, 254 on one of the videomonitors 258, 260, while another passenger watches a different moviegenerated by a different audiovisual source on the other of the videomonitors 258, 260. Or, while one passenger watches a movie on one of thevideo monitors 258, 260, another passenger can play a video game using adifferent audiovisual source, with the video signal of the video gamebeing displayed on the other of the video monitors 258, 260. Numerouscombinations of audiovisual signals that can be flexibly displayed onthe video monitors 258, 260 are possible. The audiovisual system 248 isalso flexible in that audio signals can be conveyed thereby in the twomodes (e.g., FM wireless and IR wireless, in one embodiment) asdescribed above in connection with the audiovisual system 48.

The audiovisual system 248 allows one passenger to listen privately onheadphones to a movie, a video game, or another audiovisual signal,while the other passengers listen together over the vehicle radio orother FM receiver to the audio signal of another movie, another videogame, or another audiovisual source. By providing multiple headphones388, two or more passengers can listen privately to the audio signalgenerated by one audiovisual source, while one or more other passengerslisten collectively to the audio signal generated by another audiovisualsource and provided to the speakers 360.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, two primary wirelesstransmitters are provided that can communicate with the audio signalreceiver 352, namely the first primary wireless transmitter 340 and thesecond primary wireless transmitter 344. In another embodiment, a mobilevideo system can be provided that includes two video sources and oneprimary wireless transmitter that is associated with only one of the twovideo source. In this embodiment, the source with which the primarywireless transmitter is associated will be the source used for groupviewing. The other source will be capable of transmitting to headphonesfor private listening. Of course, the source associated with the primarywireless transmitter can also comprise a secondary wireless transmitterthat transmits to headphones for private listening.

Advantageously, the audiovisual system 248 can provide flexibleentertainment, as discussed above, without requiring a separateswitching unit. Accordingly, the audiovisual system 248 costs less tomanufacture and to install and also is easier to install.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a monitor 410 disposed within aheadrest 412. The headrest 412 is mounted to a vehicle seatback 414, andis movable independently of the seatback 414 toward and away from theseatback 414. The monitor 410 preferably faces a rear of the vehicle sothat images displayed on the monitor 410 are visible to passengersseated behind the seatback 414. Features of the monitor 410, which aredescribed in detail below, reduce the risk of injury to passengerspresented by the monitor 410, and enable the monitor 410 to be mountedin the very limited space available within a typical vehicle headrest412.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 11A and 11B, the monitor 410 includes a screenstructure 416 that is pivotably attached to a housing 418. Both thehousing 418 and an outer casing of the screen structure 416 arepreferably constructed of a high-strength plastic, so that the monitor410 is lightweight and durable. The housing 418, which is embedded inthe headrest 412 as shown in FIGS. 7, 13A and 13B, includes a cavity 420(FIGS. 9, 10, and 11B) defining a storage space for the screen structure416. The cavity 420 is substantially the same size and shape as thescreen structure 416, such that when the screen structure 416 is in thestorage position of FIGS. 11A and 13A, a front face 422 of the screenstructure 416 is substantially flush with an outer surface 424 of thehousing 418, which is in turn substantially flush with a surface 425 ofthe headrest 412 (FIG. 13A). The monitor 410 thus preferably protrudesonly minimally or not at all from the headrest 412.

In the illustrated embodiment, the screen structure 416 includes a frontportion 426 (FIGS. 8A and 8B) that is a substantially rectangularparallelepiped, and a rear portion 428 that tapers inward from the frontportion 426 toward a rear face 430. Each of the left and right faces432, 434 of the screen structure 416 includes a first hinge portion 436adjacent a top face 438 of the screen structure 416. Each hinge portion436 comprises a substantially flat bar 440 defining a plane that isparallel to a side faces 432, 434 of the screen structure 416. The bar440 is pivotably secured at a first end 442 to the side faces 432, 434of the screen structure 416, such that the bar 440 is pivotable in theplane defined by the bar 440. The first hinge portions 436 cooperatewith second hinge portions 444 (FIGS. 9A-9C) on the housing 418 topivotably secure the screen structure 416 to the housing 418, asdescribed in detail below. The illustrated first hinge portions 436 arepreferred, because they simplify the assembly of the monitor 410, asexplained below. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate thata variety of alternate hinge constructions could be used and stillachieve a number of advantages of the present monitor 410.

The front surface 422 of the screen structure 416 (FIG. 7A) includes aviewing screen 446 that displays images to passengers. As shown in FIGS.8A and 8B, the screen structure 416 includes an input cable 448 forreceiving an input signal to control the images displayed on the viewingscreen 446. A first end 450 of the cable preferably includes a multi-pinconnector 452 that enables a variety of input devices to selectivelycommunicate with the monitor 410.

The monitor 410 further includes a plurality of controls for determiningcharacteristics of the displayed images. For example, one controlpreferably enables power to be selectively applied to the monitor 410.Other controls preferably enable a viewer to select between variousinput sources for the monitor 410, such as a television tuner, a DVDplayer, a video game system, etc. Other controls preferably enableadjustment of qualities of the screen images, such as brightness,sharpness, contrast, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, a first cluster of manual controls 454 islocated on the front face 422 of the screen structure 416, and a secondcluster of manual controls 456 is located on the outer surface 424 ofthe housing 418 adjacent the screen structure 416. The front face 422 ofthe screen structure 416 further includes an infrared sensor 458 forreceiving signals from a handheld wireless remote control unit (notshown). Those of skill in the art will appreciate that all controls maybe located on the screen structure 416, or all controls may be locatedon the housing 418. Alternatively, the monitor 410 may include nointegrated manual controls, such that the monitor 410 is controllableusing only a handheld wired or wireless remote control unit.

An interior of the screen structure 416 preferably includes at least onespeaker 459 that produces audible sounds that accompany the imagesdisplayed on the screen 446. At least one of the controls 454, 456 onthe monitor 410 or on an optional remote control unit preferably enablesadjustment of a volume level produced by the at least one speaker 459.The rear face 430 of the screen structure 416, shown in FIG. 8B,includes apertures 460 that enable sounds produced by the speaker 459 tobe heard clearly by passengers. Those of skill in the art willappreciate that the apertures 460 are not necessary to achieve manyadvantages of the present monitor 410.

Those of skill in the art will also appreciate that the monitor 410 neednot include a speaker 459. The monitor 410 could, for example, beconnected to the vehicle's sound system such that sounds from themonitor 410 are produced by speakers mounted in the vehicle's interior.However, front seat passengers, who are not in a position to view theimages on the monitor 410, may wish to listen to, for example, a radiobroadcast through the vehicle's sound system. Therefore, providing atleast one speaker 459 in the monitor 410 enables rear seat passengers tolisten to sounds produced by the monitor 410, and front seat passengersto listen to sounds produced by the vehicle's sound system. To eliminateany dissonance created by two sources of different sounds, the monitor410 could also include a headphone jack so that only backseat passengerswearing headphones can hear sounds produced by the monitor 410.

As shown in FIGS. 9A-9C, 11A, and 11B, front edges of the housing 418extend outward and backward, thus creating a rim 462 around the cavity420 having a front face 464 and side faces 466, 468, 470, 472 that aresubstantially parallel to side faces of the cavity 420. The rim 462increases the rigidity of the housing 418 without substantiallyincreasing its weight or volume. In the illustrated embodiment, aportion of the front face 464 of the rim 462 adjacent a lower right edge468 of the housing 418 includes a plurality of apertures 474. Theapertures 474 are adapted to house controls, such as buttons or knobs,for adjusting various aspects of the monitor 410, as described above.Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the apertures 474 are notnecessary to achieve all the advantages of the monitor 410, sincecontrols may be mounted on the screen structure 416 or on a remotecontrol unit.

A floor 476 of the cavity 420 preferably includes a plurality ofapertures 478 (FIG. 9A) that cooperate with mounting hardware, such asscrews, to secure the housing 418 to the headrest 412. The floor 476preferably also includes an aperture 480 of sufficient size to allow theinput cable 448 to pass through the floor 476 without interference. Atop surface 482, bottom surface 484 and opposing side surfaces 486extend upward from the floor 476. The floor 476 protects the monitor 410and the headrest 412 during use.

Adjacent the top surface 482, each side surface 486 of the cavity 420includes a second hinge portion 444 (FIGS. 9A-9C) that cooperates withone of the first hinge portions 436 on the screen structure 416 topivotably secure the screen structure 416 to the housing 418. Eachsecond hinge portion 444 comprises a slot having a width substantiallyequal to a thickness of the bar 440 of the first hinge portion 436. Thebar 440 is thus slidable within the slot. With the bar 440 disposedwithin the slot, a position and orientation of the bar 440 is fixedrelative to the housing 418. However, because the bar 440 is rotatablewith respect to the screen structure 416, the screen structure 416 ispivotable with respect to the housing 418.

A tab 488 within the slot cooperates with an aperture 490 (FIG. 8A) onthe bar 440 to lock the bar 440 within the slot. The tab 488 iscantilevered and attached to a side edge 492 of the floor 476 of thecavity 420. The tab 488 includes a forward facing tapered portion 494(FIG. 9C) that terminates in a ledge 96 that is perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of the tab 488 and faces away from the rim 462. As thebar 440 is inserted within the slot, the bar 440 slides along theoutside of the tab 488, and the bar 440 urges the tab 488 inward due tointerengagement of the bar 440 with the tapered surface 494. As aleading edge 498 (FIG. 8A) of the bar 440 reaches a rear end of theslot, the tab 488 snaps into position within the aperture 490 of the bar440. The ledge 496 abuts an edge of the aperture 490, thus locking thebar 440 within the slot and securing the screen structure 416 to thehousing 418. The present monitor 410 is thus easy to assemble. The bars440 are simply inserted into the slots until the tabs 488 lock intoplace within the apertures 490.

While the illustrated second hinge portions 444 are preferred for theirease of assembly together with the illustrated first hinge portions 436,those of skill in the art will appreciate that the illustrated secondhinge portions 444 are merely exemplary. A variety of alternate hingeconstructions could be used to achieve many advantages of the presentmonitor 410.

Preferably, the first and second hinge portions 436, 444 are locatednear an upper edge 438, 482 of the screen structure 416 and housing 418,respectively. The upper edge 438 of the screen structure 416 thusremains substantially fixed with respect to the housing 418, while alower edge 500 of the screen structure 416 is capable of protrudingsubstantially from the front face 422 of the housing 418, as shown inFIG. 11B. Preferably, a finger catch 502 (FIGS. 8A, 8B, 11A and 11B)extends downward from the lower edge 500 of the screen structure 416.The finger catch 502 provides a convenient surface against which aviewer may place his or her fingers to rotate the screen structure 416with respect to the housing 418. Preferably, the lower edge 470 of thehousing includes a cut out portion 504 (FIGS. 9A and 10) so that aviewer can reach behind the finger catch 502 to pull the screenstructure 416 outward from the stowed position of FIG. 11A.

Advantageously, as the screen structure 416 pivots from the stowedposition of FIG. 11A to the position of FIG. 11B, no portion of the rearface 430 of the screen structure 416 moves toward the floor 476 of thecavity 420. The floor 476 thus defines a limit for the monitor 410. Noportion of the monitor 410, including the screen structure 416, extendsbeyond the floor 476 into the headrest 412. Thus, the overall monitor410 occupies relatively little depth of the headrest 412, because thedepth occupied by the monitor 410 corresponds roughly to the thicknessof the screen structure 416.

With prior art monitors, such as the monitors disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,267,775 to Nguyen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,556 to Dixon, and U.S. Pat. No.5,842,715 to Jones, additional depth beyond the thickness of the screenstructure would be required within a headrest to accommodate thesemonitors. As the screen structures of these monitors pivot from thestowed position to a viewing position, an upper edge of the screenstructure would move backward into the headrest. This configuration isdisadvantageous because limited space is available within a headrest.

The function of a headrest is to provide padding for comfort and safety.Thus, a headrest must comprise at least a minimum amount of padding.When a monitor is added to a headrest, padding is displaced. The paddingmay be eliminated entirely, but such elimination makes the headrest lesscomfortable and less safe. Alternatively, the padding may be retainedbut moved elsewhere within the headrest. Disadvantageously, this optionmakes the headrest larger. If the headrest is made wider, the extrawidth obstructs a larger portion of the driver's view. If instead theheadrest is made deeper, (extends farther into rear passenger area) theportion of the headrest that protrudes into the rear passenger areapresents an obstacle to rear seat passengers. Therefore, aheadrest-mounted monitor desirably occupies minimal space.

Besides defining a thickness of the present monitor 410, the housing 418also provides a self-contained casing for the monitor 410. The housing418 thus protects the monitor 410 from impacts, for example. The housing418 also facilitates installation and removal of the monitor 410. Toexchange one monitor 410 for another, for example if the first monitor410 is defective, the housing 418 and all of the components within thehousing are easily removed from the headrest 412. A new monitor 410 isthen easily installed by inserting the housing 418 of the new monitor410 into the headrest 412.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 11A, and 11B, the monitor 410 includes a bracket506 that limits a range of pivot of the screen structure 416 relative tothe housing 418. The shape of the bracket 506, illustrated in FIG. 12,preferably resembles a straight wire 508 with an attached pair ofL-shaped wires 510. Of course, the bracket 506 may be produced by manydifferent processes such that the straight wire 508 and L-shaped wires510 comprise one piece, or separate pieces attached to one another.

All three wires 508, 510, 510 are coplanar, and both L-shaped wires 510extend from the straight wire 508 in the same direction. The uprightportion 512 of each L-shaped wire 510 is substantially perpendicular tothe straight wire 508, and the base portion 514 of each L-shaped wire510 is substantially parallel to the straight wire 508. Further, thebase portions 514 of each L-shaped wire 510 extend toward each other,and include a small gap 516 between their ends. The upright portions 512of the L-shaped wires 510 are attached to the straight wire 508 suchthat opposite end portions of the straight wire 508, comprising posts518, extend beyond the attachment points of the L-shaped wires 510.

The base portions 514 of the L-shaped wires 510, which define a firstend 524 of the bracket 506, are pivotably retained within a tube 520(FIGS. 9A, 10 and 11A-11B) on the floor 476 of the cavity 420. The tube520 defines a first pivot opening and a second pivot opening. The posts518 of the straight wire 508, which define a second end 526 of thebracket 506, are slidably retained within a channel 522 on the rear face430 of the screen structure 416, as shown in FIGS. 8B, 11A and 11B. Inthe stowed position shown in FIG. 11A, the bracket 506 is substantiallyparallel to the rear face 430 of the screen structure 416. As the screenstructure 416 pivots outward from the cavity 420, the base portions 514of the L-shaped wires 510 pivot within the tube 520 and the posts 518slide downward within the channel 522. As FIG. 11B illustrates, theposts 518 eventually reach a lower end of the channel 522, defining amaximum angle of the screen structure 416 relative to the housing 418.

Preferably, the hinges 436, 444 that pivotably connect the screenstructure 416 to the housing 418 are self tensioning. Thus, the hinges436, 444 retain the screen structure 416 in the position of FIG. 11B,and in any position in between the positions of FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B. Aviewer can thus position the screen structure 416 anywhere between thelimits of rotation to enjoy the optimum viewing angle. For example, theoptimum viewing angle often depends upon the position of the sun. Glarefrom sunlight interferes with the viewer's ability to see images on thescreen. Thus, the viewer can orient the screen structure 416 such thatglare from sunlight is minimized. Furthermore, as the vehicle travels,its position and orientation with respect to the sun are continuouslychanging. At one moment, there may be little or no glare on the screen446, and the next moment the vehicle may round a corner and suddenlythere is a substantial glare on the screen 446. Because the presentmonitor 410 is positionable in a wide range of viewing angles, themonitor 410 enables the viewer to continuously adjust the angle of thescreen structure 416 to avoid sun glare occasioned by variations in thevehicle's position and/or orientation with respect to the sun.

The present monitor 410 advantageously collapses toward the storageposition (FIGS. 11A and 13A) when a force F is applied to the frontsurface 422 of the screen structure 416 as shown in FIGS. 11B and 13B.This feature is especially advantageous when a vehicle in which themonitor 410 is installed collides with another vehicle or brakessuddenly, for example. In these situations, a passenger seated behindthe monitor 410 is often thrown forward, and may collide with themonitor 410. If the monitor 410 does not quickly collapse upon contact,the monitor 410 could injure the passenger.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the bracket 506 limits the rotation of the screenstructure 416 relative to the housing 418. The length of the bracket 506is fixed, and the first end 524 of the bracket 506 is constrainedagainst translation. Therefore, a maximum angle that the screenstructure 416 can be rotated from the stowed position of FIG. 11Acoincides with a configuration wherein a longitudinal axis of thebracket 506 is perpendicular to the rear face 430 of the screenstructure 416. In such a configuration, a force applied perpendicularlyto the front face of the screen structure 416, such as the force F inFigure 11B, would not have a component that acts on the bracket secondend 526 in a direction parallel to the channel 522 and perpendicular tothe bracket 506. Instead, the entire magnitude of the force would act ina direction parallel to the bracket 506, and would not cause the bracketsecond end 526 to slide upward within the channel 522, thus rotating thebracket 506 about its first end. In such a configuration, the bracket506 would prevent the screen structure 416 from rotating back toward thestorage configuration of FIG. 11A. The screen structure 416 would thuspose a danger to a passenger colliding with it, as in a crash or asudden stop.

However, as explained above and illustrated in FIG. 11B, a lower end ofthe channel 522 in the rear face 430 of the screen structure 416 limitsthe travel of the bracket 506 within the channel 522 and prevents thebracket 506 from reaching the configuration wherein the bracket 506 isperpendicular to the rear face 430 of the screen structure 416. As shownin FIG. 11B, the maximum angle α between the bracket 506 and the rearface 430 of the screen structure 416 is preferably about 80°, and morepreferably about 75°. In this configuration, the force F appliedperpendicularly to the front face 422 of the screen structure 416 has acomponent that acts parallel to the channel 522, and a component thatacts perpendicularly to the bracket 506. These force components causethe bracket second end 526 to translate upward within the channel 522,causing the bracket 506 to rotate about its first end 524 as the screenstructure 416 collapses toward the storage configuration of FIG. 11A.The bracket 506 thus diminishes the injury-causing potential of themonitor 410 by enabling the screen structure 416 to pivot safely out ofthe way when a passenger collides with it.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of certainpreferred embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art also are within the scope of this invention. Thus,various changes and modifications may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, not all of the features,aspects and advantages are necessarily required to practice the presentinvention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intendedto be defined only by the claims that follow.

1. A mobile video system comprising: a motorized land vehicle comprisinga passenger compartment, a first seat having a first headrest, the firstseat positioned in the passenger compartment; a first video source thatgenerates a first audiovisual signal; a second video source thatgenerates a second audiovisual signal; a first video monitor configuredto receive a video portion of at least one of the first audiovisualsignal and the second audiovisual signal, the first video monitorcomprising: a housing comprising a first hinge portion adjacent an upperedge thereof and defining a storage cavity having a floor, the floorhaving an aperture formed therein; a screen structure comprising asecond hinge portion adjacent an upper edge thereof, the second hingeportion cooperating with the first hinge portion to pivotably secure thescreen structure to the housing such that when the screen structure ispivoted outward from the housing, access is provided to the aperture,wherein the screen structure is interposed between a viewer and theaperture along a line of sight of the viewer when the screen structureis pivoted out to a desired viewing position; and a fastener configuredto be advanced through the aperture and to coupled with the headrest ofthe first seat to secure the first video monitor thereto; a second videomonitor mounted in the passenger compartment, the second video monitorconfigured to receive a video portion of at least one of the firstaudiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal; a radio thatincludes a loudspeaker and that is installed in the vehicle; and a firstwireless transmitter configured to transmit an audio portion of one ofthe first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal to theradio; whereby a video portion of either of the first audiovisual signalor the second audiovisual signal can be displayed on the first videomonitor, on the second video monitor, or on both the first video monitorand the second video monitor.
 2. The mobile video system of claim 1,wherein the screen structure has a stowed position wherein a surface ofthe screen structure hides the fastener from view.
 3. The mobile videosystem of claim 1, further comprising a manually operated audiofrequency selector that selects a transmission frequency upon which thewireless transmitter transmits the audio portion of the firstaudiovisual signal or the audio portion of the second audiovisualsignal.
 4. The mobile video system of claim 3, wherein the manuallyoperated audio frequency selector comprises a remote control.
 5. Themobile video system of claim 1, wherein the first video source comprisesa DVD player.
 6. The mobile video system of claim 1, wherein the firstvideo source comprises a video game console.
 7. The mobile video systemof claim 6, wherein the second video source comprises a DVD player. 8.The mobile video system of claim 1, wherein the first wirelesstransmitter comprises a frequency modulation (FM) transmitter.
 9. Themobile video system of claim 1, wherein a first angular orientation ofthe first video monitor relative to the first seat and a second angularorientation of the second video monitor relative to the second seat areadjustable without moving the headrests.
 10. A mobile video systemcomprising: a motorized land vehicle comprising a passenger compartment,a first seat having a first headrest, the first seat positioned in thepassenger compartment; a first video source that generates a firstaudiovisual signal; a second video source that generates a secondaudiovisual signal; a first video monitor configured to receive a videoportion of at least one of the first audiovisual signal and the secondaudiovisual signal, the first video monitor comprising: a housingcomprising a first hinge portion adjacent an upper edge thereof anddefining a storage cavity having a floor, the floor having formedtherein a plurality of apertures configured to receive fasteners forsecurely mounting the first video monitor to the headrest of the firstseat; and a screen structure comprising a second hinge portion adjacentan upper edge thereof, the second hinge portion cooperating with thefirst hinge portion to pivotably secure the screen structure to thehousing such that when the screen structure is pivoted outward from thehousing, access is provided to the apertures, wherein the screenstructure is interposed between a viewer and the apertures along a lineof sight of the viewer when the screen structure is pivoted out to adesired viewing position; a second video monitor mounted in thepassenger compartment, the second video monitor configured to receive avideo portion of at least one of the first audiovisual signal and thesecond audiovisual signal; a radio that includes a loudspeaker and thatis installed in the vehicle; and a first wireless transmitter configuredto transmit an audio portion of one of the first audiovisual signal orthe second audiovisual signal to the radio; whereby a video portion ofeither of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signalcan be displayed on the first video monitor, on the second videomonitor, or on both the first video monitor and the second videomonitor.
 11. The mobile video system of claim 10, wherein the screenstructure has a stowed position wherein a surface of the screenstructure hides the apertures from view.